Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1887-12-24

walks. The snow came on purpose to
help you"
"Tts awful hard work. and the sbov-
els half gone, began Sammy, who pre-
ferred to spend his holiday coastlng on
an old tea-tray.
Don't growl, or You won't get any
dinner" said Tom. making up his mind
to lug baskets for the good of the fam
ily, like manly lad as he was.
Il, continued Kitty, have taken
the hardest part of all; for after my
work is done. and the babies safely set
tied. I'm going TO beg for the leavlngs
of the holly and pine swept out of the
church down below, and make some
/ wreaths and sell them"
"If YOU can" put in Tommy, who
had tried pencils, and failed 70 make
| fortune.
Not in the street?" cried Sam, look
ing alarmed.
Eyes, at the corner of Park. I'm
bound to make some money, and don't
see any other way. I shall put on an
| old hood and shawl, and no one will
| know me. ''Dont care il they do.
And Kitty tried TO mean what she said,
but in her heart she felt that it would be
trial to her pride if any of her school
mates should happen to recognize her.
1 Don't believe you'll do 1t.
''See il I don't; for VIII have good
1 dinner one day in the year.
i ''Well. it doesn't seem right for us to
1 do it. Father ought to take care OF us,
and we only buy some presents with the
little bit we earn. He never gives US
anything now" And Tommy scowled
at the bedroom door, with strong
sense of injury struggling with affection
4 in his bOyish heart.
"Hush" cried Kitty. Don't blame
4 him. Mother saws we never must for
get he's our father. [ try not to; but
when she cries, it's hard 10 feel as l
ought" And a sob made the little girl
stop short as she pOked the fire to hide
the trouble in the face that should have
been all smiles.
For q moment the room was very still,
as the snow beat on the window, and the
fire-light fickered over the six shabby
little boots put up on the stove hearth
to dry.
Tommy's cheerful voice broke th'
silence, SAYING stoutly: We'll, II I've
got to work all day. [ guess I'll 60 K
1 bed early. Don't fret, Kit; we'll helI
t all we can, and have a good time-see L
3 We don't"
IN go ont real early, and shovel like
fury. Maybe I'll get dollar. WoulG
that buy a turkey" asked Sammy, Will
G the air of a millionaire.
''No. dear: one big enough for III
would cost two, Tn afraid. Perhaps
we'll have one sent us. We belong t'
the church. though folks don't know
L how poor we are now, and we can beg.
And Kitty hustled about, clearing mp
rather exercised in her mind abou
. going and asking for the much-deslre'
d fowl.
f Soon all three were fast asleep, ant
Il nothing but the whir of the machln
, broke the quiet that fell upon the house
> Then from the inner room a man cam
/ and sat over the lire with his head IN III
d hands and his eyes fixed on the raTge
:. little boots left to dry. de had hear
: the children's talk, and his heart wa
" very heavy rs he looked about til
r shabby room that used to be SO neat An
le pleasant. What he thought no on
,t knows. what he did we shall see by-anC
by: but the sorrow and shame and tendt
silence of his children worked mlracI
ar that night more lasting and lovely tina
ld the white beauty which the sno
70 wrought upon the sleeping city.
: Bright and early the boys were ava
u, TO their work, while Kitty sang as 81
ld dressed the little sisters. Put the hou
ed in order and made her mother smile
the mysterious hints she gave OF SOM
o- thing splendid which was gong to ma
o. pen. Father was gone, and though
70 rather dreaded evening, nothing wi
- said: but each worked with Will, lee
a ing that Christmas should be merry
ay spite OF poverty and care.
al All day, Tommy lugged fat turkey
-. roasts of beef. and every sort OF yeget
70 BILE for other peoples good dinners {
bo the morrow, wondering meanwhl
~ where his own was coming froi
~. Mr.. Brisket had an army OF DO
yJe trudging here and there, and was 7,
busy TO notice any particular lad TIL u
va hurry was over, and only few Deiat'
10 buyer5 remained TO be served. Ii
We late: but the stores kept open, al
NJ though so tired he could hardly stan
a. brave Tommy held on when the otn
70 boys left. hoping to earn trlf1e mo
~ by extra work. Hesat down on a Darl
NJ to rest during leisure moment a.
ma ! presently MS weary uthu lA"N'
wavs into basket of cranberrles, whe
70 he slept quietly till the sound OF gr'
voices reused him.
No. II was Mr.. Brisket scolding becau
~ one dinner had been forgotten.
Suy II told that rascal Beals to be su
~. ms and carry it, for the old gentleman W
a' be in a rage if It doesn't come, and tn
e away his custom. Every boy gone, q
IL I can't leave the store, nor you elth'
LAC LAC Pat. with all the clearing mp to do.
IL Here's by, sir, slapln lIllgant L
~ ninst the cranberries, bad luck to mn
no 10 answered Pat, with a shake that setPc
niy Tom on his legs. wide awake at once.
% 'Good luck to him you mean: ne
al T What at's-your-name, yOu take TINS pas
Oh, Oh, to that number, and III make II wol
. .ou 7our while, said Mr.. Brisket, n17ch
'l' Geved by this unexpected help.
,;,a s.An right, sir" and Tommy truds
lie lie off as briskly as his tired legs would
m him, cheering the long, cold walk v
- vieions of The turkaY with which 11se